Spelling Dream Ends for Green River Boy

None by KCPW

Immigration Struggles Continue

(KCPW News) Last week Kunal Sah's dream of winning the National Spelling Bee died. The 13-year-old from Green River didn't score enough points on the written exam to advance in the competition. And in missing that cut-off, he also missed what he hoped would be his chance to help bring his deported parents back to the U.S.

"During the written test my mind was diverted - I was thinking about my mom and dad's case, if they'll come back, if I would get past the written test," says Kunal. "All these things were racing around in my head and I just didn't do well on the test. Otherwise, after the written test I knew almost every single word that was asked in the Bee."

While in Washington, D.C. for the National Bee Kunal received lots of media attention, but very little notice from high-ranking politicians who might be able to help his parents in their quest for U.S. status. Ken and Sarita Sah were not allowed to re-enter the country to support their son at the National Bee. And Kunal's convinced that affected his performance:

"At the Spelling Bee I saw kids parents cheering them on - I was up on stage and saw their parents holding up posters saying 'You can do it!'" says Kunal. "I felt really depressed about that.

Later this summer, Kunal will spend a month with his parents in India. Then he plans to return to Green River High School for 9th grade where he'll focus on his grades and the school's quiz bowl competition. He hopes to attend medical school at Harvard University. His parents remain in India indefinitely.

Click here, here and here for additional stories about Kunal Sah on KCPW.

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